InterviewsCategory

When did you first begin seriously studying your instrument?

I began studying concert band music in the 6th grade. In the 7th grade, I joined the school’s jazz ensemble. Ever since I started playing music, I became attached to it. Many of my peers say that I possess a drive for music unlike anyone in the band.

Setup & Music Gear

Saxophonist Nick Vatis

What are you doing with music right now?

Currently, I am in the 8th grade at Altadena Middle School. I am involved in my middle school’s concert band and jazz ensemble. To strengthen my musical abilities, I am learning how to write and transcribe music.

Who are some of your influences?

Who do you/have you studied with?

I have studied with my middle school band director, Casey Ehrler. I also study jazz with my private teacher, Dr. Dan Puccio. Both of my mentors have helped me grow as a musician, and will continue to help me improve my musical skills.

What are some of your goals musically for the future?

My ultimate goal for the future is to attend the Juilliard school in New York City and be apart of the Juilliard Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. One day, I hope to bring this great art form back into the homes of millions of Americans.

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(A) You cannot submit one sentence answers to the Teen Jazz Artist Application form questions, they must be a short paragraph.

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(C) Pictures and Contact Information on your page are optional, but let us at Teen Jazz know if you would like to have both or either on your profile.

Striving to be hailed as an impactful teen trumpeter Nic Scott is on a mission to give teen brass players a boost and he intends to use jazz to do it. Coupling fast-tracked world class education through intensive study with Hall of Famer Hunter Moss and the savvy to build a powerful network through social contributions such as playing taps at local soldier’s funerals Nic is raising awareness that bringing brass into a teen’s life outside of school reshapes their reality, changes their life’s rhythm, and makes them part of a community of fascinating quality people.

Trumpeter Nic Scott

As an artist Nic has a laser focus on developing his chops, range, sound, and technical skills to their fullest potential to rival the killer musicality he’s naturally equipped with. Nic has his own ideas about touring…he’s packed his schedule with clinicians and educators coast to coast. He figures the better he sounds on stage the better people will hear his message. This teen artist is focused on making music and making it matter.

Setup & Music Gear

1968 Selmer Deville and Bach Artisan 7C

When did you first begin seriously studying your instrument?

In 2015 I started in school band, but I wasn’t studying music, I was just showing up for class. After a rough road in middle school my mother chose to homeschool me and found me a private trumpet teacher. Eventually as I began making music on my own terms, instead of noise for a school grade it changed the rhythm of my life into something that I love. Now I’m in harmony with my academics, my family, and myself. In early 2017 when I realized I wanted to define who I am with music I began to truly study it.

What are you doing with music right now?

In my 3-4 hours of daily practice I’m focusing on sound production in the higher registers and developing musicality within my audition pieces for school applications. And of course improv is always part of the day. The bigger picture: 1) Crafting jazz opportunities for local teens that do not exist. Seriously I live in the middle of nowhere Georgia, with a tiny population, a lot of poverty, and very little arts presence. There’s no better way to collaborate with other teen musicians and connect with the community than jazz. Lots of media attention, lots of community outreach, and I’m making serious strides toward my goal having secured my funding, space, and building my executive board. 2) I’m in intensive study several days a week with Bugle Hall of Famer, Hunter Moss, who’s had a concentration on jazz a big portion of his career. 3) I’m playing taps at veterans funerals because the soul stirring impact live taps has is something these guys earned, audio recordings are unacceptable. Other stuff I’m stoked about: I’m attending four educational events all over the country this year. Week long brass or trumpet focused workshops and camps and the International Trumpet Guild Conference, getting to every gig I can, and doing a brass instrument repair apprenticeship. I’m a little nervous but super excited to populate my website (www.nicscott.net) with professionally recorded tracks of my pieces and performances in August of this year.

Who are some of your influences?

Who do you/have you studied with?

A couple of school band directors started me out on mechanics, but the real studying started at Shorter University when Hunter Moss gave me his attention.

What are some of your goals musically for the future?

I plan to make the most valuable impact that I can on teens and jazz is a universal language that everyone enjoys and responds to. Music was a turning point in my life. I was on a dangerous road. When my teacher’s approach to my music eduction grabbed my attention it opened a door for me that led to a healthy enjoyable and exciting life. I intend to open that door with my music for other teens for the rest of my life. That requires I become an accomplished jazz artist, educated teacher, and effective entrepreneur.

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Teen Jazz is also looking for young Jazz Artist features, so you could become a feature if you apply. You will be notified by email of the status of your application.

Terms and Conditions:

(A) You cannot submit one sentence answers to the Teen Jazz Artist Application form questions, they must be a short paragraph.

(B) You must respond to the confirmation email that you receive from Shannon Kennedy after you submit your profile or your profile will not be published on Teen Jazz.

(C) Pictures and Contact Information on your page are optional, but let us at Teen Jazz know if you would like to have both or either on your profile.

When did you first begin seriously studying your instrument?

Originally, I didn’t really mean to study music. In the 6th grade, all of my friends always talked about playing this weird thing with a slide and it made funny noises. I just wanted to join in on the fun so I joined band and ended up loving it. I became much more serious about studying music when I got to middle school and high school, where I joined multiple ensembles.

Trombonist Breanna Johnson

What are you doing with music right now?

Currently I am in my senior year of high school and I am involved in many different things that deal with music. I’m in my high school stage band, pep band, symphonic band and marching band. Outside of school, I am in a jazz fusion band called 8 Days Late. We’re currently just going after as many gigs as we can.

Who are some of your influences?

I listen to a lot of music and I am easily influenced by a variety of genres. I am heavily influenced by Snarky Puppy, Huntertones, Lucky Chops and BadBadNotGood. Other inspiring artists/bands that are not jazz oriented include The Strokes, Lady Gaga, Simon & Garfunkel, Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd.

Who do you/have you studied with?

I used to be in a rock band called Zoetic and we wrote our own music, and we played at a talent show. I’m currently in a jazz fusion band with other people who are also part of our high school stage band. We’ve been working on finding local gigs and we’ve participated in the Tri-C High School Rock Off at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I take lessons with my director Fred Burazer and I’ve also studied with guitarist Dennis Drummond.

What are some of your goals musically for the future?

In my future, I would like to perform as much as possible or maybe teach private lessons. I’m going to college to major in jazz studies, but I’d still like to expand my boundaries. I would love to just tour the world and collaborate with other artists, and essentially create and share as much music as time allows.

Any additional information you would like to add?

Even though I’ve never taken lessons, I can also sing. I really enjoy singing and writing my own songs, it’s a relaxing thing to do.

Interested in having your profile featured on our site?

Teen Jazz is also looking for young Jazz Artist features, so you could become a feature if you apply. You will be notified by email of the status of your application.

Terms and Conditions:

(A) You cannot submit one sentence answers to the Teen Jazz Artist Application form questions, they must be a short paragraph.

(B) You must respond to the confirmation email that you receive from Shannon Kennedy after you submit your profile or your profile will not be published on Teen Jazz.

(C) Pictures and Contact Information on your page are optional, but let us at Teen Jazz know if you would like to have both or either on your profile.

When did you first begin seriously studying your instrument?

Music has always been in my blood. My grandfather was a jazz saxophonist and my older cousin is a professional guitarist who studied music at NYU. I wanted to play music since I can remember. I started guitar lessons in 3rd grade, then trumpet lessons in 4th grade. In high school, I began seriously pursuing jazz trumpet.

Trumpeter Yale Friend

Setup & Music Gear

I play on a Cannonball 789-RL trumpet with a tuning slide custom built by Steve Loeb at L&L Music-Wind Shop. I use a Monette Resonance B2S3 mouthpiece.

What are you doing with music right now?

I currently play in four ensembles at Brown University. Most of my time is spent playing 2nd trumpet (the “jazz chair”) in the Big Band. We had a busy year, playing with Descemer Bueno, Ramon Diaz, and Pedrito Martinez in the fall, then with Jimmy Heath, and later Thomas Bergeron (the trumpet player) in the spring. In between we did a tour around Berlin.

I also play in a jazz combo, the klezmer band, and a salsa band. In addition to regular performances, my combo hosts biweekly jazz jams.

During the summer I teach jazz, trumpet, and ukulele at Buck’s Rock Performing and Creative Arts Camp. When I am home, I play bass and trumpet at my synagogue for select Shabbat services.

Who are some of your influences?

Without a doubt, Wynton Marsalis is my biggest musical influence. I pay careful attention to everything he does; the way he plays, the way he sounds, the way he interacts with his fellow musicians, the way he carries himself, and his passion for education. My other influences include Louis Armstrong, Clifford Brown, Lee Morgan, Hank Mobley, James Morrison, and Wynton Kelly among many others.

Who do you/have you studied with?

My first trumpet teacher was Sasha Soper. He taught the 4th grade band class and is actually a very talented jazz drummer with whom I’ve since performed. Following were Bill Turner, Kevin Collar, Lyle Link, Brad Clements. I currently study with Matt McGarrell, who directs the Big Band and teaches classes in jazz history and composition, and privately study jazz theory and performance with Ed Tomassi of Berklee.

What are some of your goals musically for the future?

I haven’t quite figured that out yet. In addition to music, I also study electrical engineering at Brown. My general plan is to play for as long as I can on top of another job, and to open the door if opportunity knocks.

Any additional information you would like to add?

Some other highlights of my musical experience are playing at Blues Alley in Washington D.C. four times, playing with Mike Stern, and more recently, rehearsing and performing with Roomful of Blues.

Interested in having your profile featured on our site?

Teen Jazz is also looking for young Jazz Artist features, so you could become a feature if you apply. You will be notified by email of the status of your application.

Terms and Conditions:

(A) You cannot submit one sentence answers to the Teen Jazz Artist Application form questions, they must be a short paragraph.

(B) You must respond to the confirmation email that you receive from Shannon Kennedy after you submit your profile or your profile will not be published on Teen Jazz.

(C) Pictures and Contact Information on your page are optional, but let us at Teen Jazz know if you would like to have both or either on your profile.

When did you first begin seriously studying your instrument?

I was bored the summer after my fourth grade year. My father told me he had his old saxophone in the attic, so he got it out and told me to try and figure it out. I was very curious, and I was up for the challenge. I haven’t stopped since!

What are you doing with music right now?

Currently, I am recording my second album. I am also preparing for a tour of Europe this summer with a jazz big band in which I am the first tenor. Furthermore, I am directing my high school’s pep band.

Who do you/have you studied with?

What are some of your goals musically for the future?

I plan on finding a jazz combo to play with in college as well as playing in a jazz big band. I also plan to keep recording on saxophone and keyboard. I would ultimately love to be in a combo that played gigs in the Chicago area.

Interested in having your profile featured on our site?

Teen Jazz is also looking for young Jazz Artist features, so you could become a feature if you apply. You will be notified by email of the status of your application.

Terms and Conditions:

(A) You cannot submit one sentence answers to the Teen Jazz Artist Application form questions, they must be a short paragraph.

(B) You must respond to the confirmation email that you receive from Shannon Kennedy after you submit your profile or your profile will not be published on Teen Jazz.

(C) Pictures and Contact Information on your page are optional, but let us at Teen Jazz know if you would like to have both or either on your profile.

Bassist Gabriel Severn

What are you doing with music right now?

I play bass in the Uptown Music Collective’s Sharp Red Jazz Quartet, Lock Haven University Jazz Ensemble, and Loyalsock Township Middle School Jazz Band, as well as the 5th grade band at school. I play double bass with the Williamsport Symphony Junior Strings, and do freelance gigs.

Who are some of your influences?

Who do you/have you studied with?

Tim Breon, Dave Brumbaugh, and Eddie Severn. I went to the Central PA Jazz Camp last summer and studied with Helen Sung and Steve Meashey.

What are some of your goals musically for the future?

I plan to attend more jazz camps this summer and continue performing. I’m also planning to go to Gerald Veasleys Bass Bootcamp and Victor Wooten’s bass camp.

Anything else you would like to add?

Four months after starting the bass, I was asked to join the Urban Souls, a band of young musicians (ages 7-13) which performed Motown and soul music. During their 3 years together, The Urban Souls gained significant recognition in central Pennsylvania, performing over 75 gigs which included music festivals, TV and radio appearances, and numerous community events and benefits. Some of the high-profile events included: Little League Baseball and the Little League World Series, Williamsport Welcomes the World, the Lycoming County Fair, the Harrisburg Music and Wine Fest, Dauphin County Wine and Jazz Fest, the Downtown Billtown Music Festival, and Jersey Shore Town Meeting.

I have been a guest performer at the Scranton Jazz Festival, the Lock Haven University Jazz Ensemble, Bucknell University Jazz Ensemble, and the Ann Arbor Art Fair. I have also performed in several mainstage Uptown Music Collective productions.

I attended several music camps, including the Keystone Jazz Institute and Central PA Jazz Camp, where I played in the top jazz ensemble under the direction of Helen Sung. I regularly play at the Bull Run in Lewisburg, and will perform in the first Lock Haven Jazz Festival this summer.

Gabriel’s Official Bio

“Gabriel is a listener, which makes all musicians happy. He truly is so much fun to play with because he can turn on a dime! He makes ensemble playing out of a bunch of scattered egos. I feel fortunate to have played with him.” -Grammy Award-winner Steve Mitchell

“A rising force of nature. Gabriel Severn is on the fast track to great things.” -Dave Brumbaugh, Executive Director, Uptown Music Collective

11-year-old Gabriel Severn has been playing bass since he was 7 years old. 4 months after picking up the bass, he was asked by the Uptown Music Collective’s Executive Director Dave Brumbaugh to join the Urban Souls, a band of young musicians (ages 7-13) that performed Motown and soul music. During their 3 years together, The Urban Souls gained significant recognition in central Pennsylvania, performing more than 75 gigs including music festivals, TV and radio appearances, and numerous community events and benefits. Some of the high-profile events included: Little League Baseball and the Little League World Series, Williamsport Welcomes the World, the Lycoming County Fair, the Harrisburg Music and Wine Fest, Dauphin County Wine and Jazz Fest, the Downtown Billtown Music Festival, and Jersey Shore Town Meeting.

On his own, Gabriel has been a guest performer at the Scranton Jazz Festival, the Lock Haven University Jazz Ensemble, Bucknell University Jazz Ensemble, and the Ann Arbor Art Fair. He has also performed in several mainstage Uptown Music Collective productions.

Gabriel has attended several music camps, including the Keystone Jazz Institute and Central PA Jazz Camp, where he played in the top jazz ensemble under the direction of pianist Helen Sung.

He is currently the bass player for the Lock Haven University Jazz Combo, the Uptown Music Collective’s Sharp Red Jazz Quartet, the Loyalsock Township Middle School jazz band, and the 5th grade band at his elementary school. He recently began playing the double bass and plays with the Williamsport Symphony’s Junior Strings. He regularly sits in at the Bull Run in Lewisburg with Grammy Award-winning drummer Steve Mitchell, and will perform in the first Lock Haven Jazz Festival this summer.

Interested in having your profile featured on our site?

Teen Jazz is also looking for young Jazz Artist features, so you could become a feature if you apply. You will be notified by email of the status of your application.

Terms and Conditions:

(A) You cannot submit one sentence answers to the Teen Jazz Artist Application form questions, they must be a short paragraph.

(B) You must respond to the confirmation email that you receive from Shannon Kennedy after you submit your profile or your profile will not be published on Teen Jazz.

(C) Pictures and Contact Information on your page are optional, but let us at Teen Jazz know if you would like to have both or either on your profile.

When did you first begin seriously studying your instrument?

Back in 5th grade when everyone was signing up for either orchestra, band or general music, I knew I just wanted to do something because general music was just awful! So deciding to do flute was because my mother’s favorite movie had this solo piece she just loved, and she always wanted me to play it for her.

Setup & Music Gear

I use a Jupiter 507 Flute and a Yamaha Bari Saxophone from my school with Vandoren size 3 reeds usually.

Saxophonist & Flutist Shannon Watson

What are you doing with music right now?

Currently working with my schools concert, marching, and jazz band on both flute and saxophone while taking weekly lessons. I would love to expand on my jazz work outside of school however.

Who are some of your influences?

James Moody is someone I get a lot of ideas from, being he plays both saxophone and flute. He got the idea in my head that I can solo on flute. Ben Wendel’s music (Kneebody) also gave me alot of inspiration on ideas when first starting out, and I think my soloing reflects both of those ideas.

Who do you/have you studied with?

I do my flute studies with my private instructor Stephanie Hoeckley, and for saxophone I have worked with Bradyn Owens and Dan Puccio.

What are some of your goals musically for the future?

I plan on studying music in college and seeing what happens from there.

Interested in having your profile featured on our site?

Teen Jazz is also looking for young Jazz Artist features, so you could become a feature if you apply. You will be notified by email of the status of your application.

Terms and Conditions:

(A) You cannot submit one sentence answers to the Teen Jazz Artist Application form questions, they must be a short paragraph.

(B) You must respond to the confirmation email that you receive from Shannon Kennedy after you submit your profile or your profile will not be published on Teen Jazz.

(C) Pictures and Contact Information on your page are optional, but let us at Teen Jazz know if you would like to have both or either on your profile.

Pianist Dave Brubeck has been lauded as one of the most influential jazz artists of the 1950s and 60s. As cool jazz began to reach its prime, Brubeck succeeded in finding an audience for his more complex music (both tonally and time signature-wise).

Born in Concord, California, on December 6, 1920, David Warren Brubeck was immersed in a musical environment from an early age. His mother was a classically trained pianist and both of his older brothers would become professional musicians. At the age of 4, he began piano lessons and with a good ear, he was able to hid the fact that he wasn’t good at reading music for quite some time (it wasn’t until he was in college that his teachers found out he couldn’t read music).

In his teen years, Brubeck performed with a local dance band, but unlike many of his musician contemporaries, he continued through school to study veterinary medicine. He enrolled at the College of the Pacific in Stockton, California, playing locally to help pay for his education.

During WWII, Brubeck was drafted into the army where he served under General George S. Patton. He was asked to play piano for troops by the Red Cross which saved him from having to fight in the Battle of the Bulge. He later formed a jazz group with fellow soldiers called “The Wolfpack.”

After being honorably discharged in 1946, he re-enrolled in university at Mills College in Oakland, California where he studied with Darius Milhaud. This is arguably where Brubeck was inspired to incorporate unusual time signatures into his compositions.

He debuted the Dave Brubeck Quartet in 1951 with Paul Desmond on sax, and a rotating rhythm section. In 1956, Joe Morello became the permanent drummer and in 1958, Eugene became the steady basis.

The popularity of the group’s records led to their touring college campuses across the US. In 1954, Brubeck became the second jazz musician to grace the cover of Time Magazine (after Louis Armstrong).

In 1959, Brubeck released his most adventurous and ambitious albums, “Time Out” which featured a collection of tunes written in unusual time signatures like 5/4 and 9/8. His label, Columbia, were worried about releasing the album, but thankfully they went through with the release. It sold more than a million copies (the first jazz album to do so), and it attained a position at #25 on the Pop Charts.

He continued to do several projects, and even formed a fusion/rock group with his sons in the 1970s called Two Generations of Brubeck.

Brubeck received several awards recognizing his contributions to jazz including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a lifetime achievement Grammy, a Smithsonian Medal, and at least five honorary degrees from universities around the world.

He passed away from heart failure in 2012 on December 5. It was one day before what would have been in 92nd birthday. Some of his notable works include “Take Five” and “Blue Rondo à la Turk”.

When did you first begin seriously studying your instrument?

My mom told me to pick an instrument in the 5th grade, now I never look back and I love it!

What are you doing with music right now?

Currently a Sophomore in high school, I am in my HS wind ensemble 2nd chair alto soon to be 1st. Winter Percussion conga, bass drum, cajon, gong, shaker player. Also I am apart of the Colorado Honor band, along with that I am lead Alto player in Jazz band.

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